UPSC Essay Paper 2025 held on 22 August in the first shift. Get paper analysis, key topics, and download the official UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF here.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year, in which the Essay Paper plays the most important and decisive role. If you are preparing for the UPSC Essay Paper 2025, it is essential to understand its structure, syllabus, writing style, marking pattern, and previous year’s questions.
In this article, we will discuss the UPSC Essay Paper 2025 in detail and also provide instructions on how to download the UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF.
Also Read: UPSC Admit Card for Mains 2025
Here are the importance of UPSC Essay Paper 2025:
Also Read: IAS Salary Per Month in India 2025
|
Particulars |
Details |
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services (Main) – Essay Paper 2025 |
| Total Marks | 250 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Sections | 2 (A & B) |
| Essays to Write | 2 (one from each section) |
| Language | English/Hindi (as per candidate’s choice) |
Here is the structure of the UPSC Essay paper 2025:
|
Features |
Details |
| Paper | Paper I (Essay) |
| Exam Date | 22 August 2025 |
| Timing | 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. |
| Total Marks | 250 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Number of Questions |
|
| Nature of Paper | Counted for the final merit list |
Note: The essay must be written within the word limit, with clarity of language and logical flow.
Also Read: Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2025
UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 is scheduled on 22 August 2025 in the first shift. After the exam, candidates will be able to download the official PDF here.
Every year, UPSC essay topics are based on current events and philosophical perspectives. The possible topics in 2025 may be as follows:
Here is the Detailed preparation strategy for UPSC Essay Paper 2025:
|
Aspect |
Details |
| Total Marks | 250 (125 marks per essay) |
| Time Duration | 3 hours |
| Sections | Two sections (A & B), each with 4 essay options; pick one from each |
| Word Limit | Approx. 1000–1200 words per essay |
| Evaluation Criteria | Content quality, structure, clarity, language, balanced perspective |
UPSC essay is not only about information, but also about creative thinking and analytical skills. UPSC Mains Essay Paper plays a crucial role in the final merit list, as it tests not only the candidate’s knowledge but also their ability to present ideas logically, coherently, and creatively. To understand the pattern, depth, and type of topics that UPSC asks, going through the Previous Years’ Essay Topics is essential:
| Year | Section A Topics | Section B Topics |
| 2025 |
Truth knows no color.
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Thought finds a world and creates one also.
Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences. |
Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.
The years teach much which the days never know.
It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.
Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty. |
| 2024 |
|
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| 2023 |
|
|
| 2022 |
|
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| 2021 |
|
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| 2020 |
|
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| 2019 |
|
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Candidates preparing for UPSC can boost their essay writing practice by referring to the official UPSC Mains Essay Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs). Below is the year-wise list from 2025 to 2021 with the download status.
|
Year |
Essay Question Paper PDF |
Status |
| 2025 | UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 | Download Link |
| 2024 | UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2024 | Download Link |
| 2023 | UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023 | Download Link |
| 2022 | UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2022 | Download Link |
| 2021 | UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2021 | Download Link |
Here are details of the importance of UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF:
Also Read: UPSC Mains Exam Centres List 2025
UPSC Essay Paper 2025 is not just a paper but a mirror of your thinking ability, command over language, and analytical approach. If you start preparing on time, practice in a structured manner.
In UPSC Essay Paper 2025, candidates are required to write two essays. One essay must be chosen from Section A and the other from Section B.
You can download the UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF from the official website upsc.gov.in under the "Examinations → Previous Question Papers" section.
UPSC Essay topics usually include a mix of philosophical, abstract, social, economic, political, scientific, and global issues. Recent years also included topics on artificial intelligence, climate change, democracy, women's empowerment, and education.
To prepare for UPSC Essay Paper 2025, read newspapers and magazines, practice previous year topics, focus on structuring your essay (Introduction, Body, Conclusion), include examples and data, and practice writing 1000–1200 word essays regularly.
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